IC card

ABSTRACT

A multifunction IC card (MFC) has compatibility with a multimedia card, an SD card, etc. in that connector terminals (# 1  through # 13 ) are disposed on a card substrate ( 1 ) in two rows in a zigzag fashion, and realizes multifunction facilities in that a memory card unit ( 3 ) and an SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card unit ( 4 ) are respectively exclusively connected and mounted to predetermined terminals of the connector terminals (# 1  through # 13 ). The memory card unit ( 3 ) and the SIM card unit ( 4 ) are respectively separately provided with areas for storing secrete codes for security. Thus, one IC card is capable of implementing multifunction facilities different in security level. Owing to the adoption of a plural-column layout corresponding to a form typified by the zigzag fashion in an array of the connector terminals, a relatively simple structure can be adopted in a card slot, wherein the amounts of protrusion of slot terminals in a card slot are alternately changed in association with a zigzag section, and the slot terminals are disposed in a row in parallel as a whole.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to maintenance of compatibility in an ICcard and its function expansion, and to, for example, a technologyeffective for application to an IC card for implementing a multibank ora multifunction while compatibility with a multimedia card beingmaintained.

BACKGROUND ART

With a view toward executing transmission of information between acellular phone and a digital network device, or the like, a memory cardlike a multimedia card has been proposed which has implemented areduction in size and weight and simplification of an interface. Asdescribed in, for example, the Interface (December issue in 1999) issuedby CQ Publishing Co., Ltd., a multimedia card has seven connectorterminals as external interface terminals and adopts a serial interface.This is capable of reducing a load on a host system as compared with anATA interface adopted by a PC card or hard disk and is available evenfor a simpler system. Further, the same reference has also describedthat an SD card has been proposed as an upper compatible memory card ofthe multimedia card.

The present inventors have discussed a function expansion of astorage-system IC card such as a multimedia card or the like. Thus, thepresent inventors have previously filed the invention wherein extensionterminals are provided while compatibility is being maintained withrespect to a standardized terminal array of a multimedia card or thelike, thereby enabling a function expansion such as an increase in thenumber of data bits (Unexamined patent application No. 2000-18030).Further, the present inventors have carried out discussions directedtoward the implementation of a multibank or multifunction using suchextension terminals. In a GSM (Group Special Mobile) mobilecommunication system or the like using an SIM (Subscriber IdentityModule) of an IC card, for example, an SIM card has a single chipmicrocomputer or the like, which stores subscriber information andaccount information or the like necessary for subscriber acknowledgementand management for security and realizes communication protocols, andwhich builds therein a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, forexample. When one attempts to apply a storage card such as a multimediacard to a cellular phone of such a GSM mobile communication system, aninsertion slot for the storage card is required in addition to one forthe SIM card. Thus, the present inventors have found that there is roomfor improvements in terms of space factors. Further, the presentinventors have found that a difference in security level unavoidablyoccurs in memory information between the storage card and the SIM cardand hence there is a necessity that the difference in security level isallowable as a difference upon the multifunction.

An object of the present invention is to provide an IC card capable ofexecuting a function expansion such as a multibank or multifunction orthe like while compatibility with a predetermined standard is beingmaintained with respect to a terminal array.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an IC card capableof expanding multifunctions different in security level.

The above, other objects and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following description of the presentspecification and the accompanying drawings.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[1] An IC card according to the present invention takes intoconsideration compatibility and a function expansion thereof. As to thecompatibility of the IC card, upward compatibility and downwardcompatibility are maintained. The upward compatibility is that adownward IC card can be used by being inserted into a card slot of anupward IC card, for example. The downward compatibility is that the ICcard can be used by being inserted into a card slot of the downward ICcard, for example. An IC card has a first functional block and a secondfunctional block each comprising a semiconductor integrated circuit andhas a configuration wherein a plurality of connector terminals areexposed.

In terms of the compatibility of the IC card, the plurality of connectorterminals are disposed in plural rows in a zigzag fashion betweencolumns adjacent to one another back and forth as viewed in an insertiondirection of the IC card. If an expression different from one for thezigzag placement thereof is taken, then the plurality of connectorterminals have an array of two columns formed back and forth as viewedin an IC card insertion direction, and an array of terminal-to-terminalareas between the connector terminals disposed in a first column, andterminal-to-terminal areas between the connector terminals disposed in asecond column are shifted from each other in a column direction. If afurther different expression is made to the zigzag layout, then theplurality of connector terminals have an array of two columns formedback and forth as viewed in an IC card insertion direction, and acolumn-direction layout of the connector terminals disposed in a firstcolumn and a column-direction layout of the connector terminals disposedin a second column are shifted from each other in a column direction.

Owing to the adoption of a plural-column layout corresponding to a formtypified by the zigzag fashion in an array of the connector terminals, arelatively simple structure can be adopted in a card slot, wherein alarge number of slot terminals thereof are alternately disposed inparallel while the amounts of protrusion thereof are being changed. Aconnector terminal array of a downward IC card is adopted in a specificconnector terminal array of the IC card as it is. On the other hand, ifa function dedicated to an upward IC card is assigned to another zigzagconnector terminal array, then such downward compatibility that theupward IC card is made available by being mounted in a card slot of thedownward IC card, can be also realized.

In terms of the function expansion of the IC card, the connectorterminals of the card include a first connector terminal connected anddedicated to the first functional block, a second connector terminalconnected and dedicated to the second functional block, and a thirdconnector terminal sharing an operating power supply commonly to boththe first functional block and the second functional block. Bydedicating data terminals or the like other than a power supply to thefirst functional block and the second functional block respectively, theimplementation of the upward compatibility and downward compatibilityare facilitated.

When one attempts to achieve compatibility between three generations orIC cards of three types or more, such a case that a connector terminalarray of a first IC card is adopted for a connector terminal columncorresponding to a first column as it is, whereas a dedicated functionadded to a second IC card is assigned to a connector terminal columncorresponding to another zigzag second column, and dedicated functionsadded to a third IC card are assigned to both the specific terminalcolumn-corresponding to the first column and the connector terminalcolumn corresponding to the second column, is assumed. At this time, theimplementation of upward compatibility and downward compatibilitybetween the second IC card and the third IC card is taken intoconsideration. To this end, a structure is adopted in which theconnector terminal at one end extending in a column direction of theconnector terminals disposed in the second column extends to a positionwhere the connector terminal adjoins, in a column direction, theconnector terminal disposed in the first column and placed at one endextending in a column direction of the connector terminals thereof, andthe connector terminal at the other end extending in a column directionof the connector terminals disposed in the second column extends to aposition where the connector terminal adjoins, in a column direction,the connector terminal disposed in the first column and placed at theother end extending in a column direction of the connector terminalsthereof. According to it, such compatibility that the first to third ICcards are mutually inserted even in a slot of any of other IC cards andmade available, can be easily realized.

[2] The function expansion of the IC card is intended for a multibankmemory, for example. At this time, the first functional block is a firstmemory card unit including an electrically rewritable first non-volatilememory, and a first controller which performs access control on thefirst non-volatile memory in accordance with instructions supplied fromthe first connector terminal and control on an interface with theoutside via the first connector terminal. The second functional block isa second memory card unit including an electrically rewritable secondnon-volatile memory, and a second controller which performs accesscontrol on the second non-volatile memory in accordance withinstructions supplied from the second connector terminal and control onan interface with the outside via the second connector terminal.

If the multimedia card or the like placed under the present situation istaken into consideration although a specific function of each connectorterminal is arbitrary, then the first connector terminal includes aclock terminal and a data terminal, the second connector terminalincludes a clock terminal and a data terminal, and the third connectorterminal includes a source voltage supply terminal and a ground voltagesupply terminal.

The first memory card unit and the second memory card unit areconfigured as a parallel operable multibank memory unit.

In order to increase security of data stored in each nonvolatile memory,the first controller may have a security function for encrypting datawritten into the first non-volatile memory and decrypting data read fromthe first non-volatile memory or effecting other encryption on the data,and the second controller may have a security function for encryptingdata written into the second non-volatile memory and decrypting dataread from the second non-volatile memory or effecting other encryptionon the data.

[3] The function expansion of the IC card is intended for amultifunction. At this time, the first functional block is a first dataprocessing unit provided with a first non-volatile memory, and a firstcontroller which performs access control on the first non-volatilememory and performs control on an interface with the outside via thefirst connector terminal. The second functional block is a second dataprocessing unit provided with a second non-volatile memory, and a secondcontroller which performs access control on the second non-volatilememory and performs control on an interface with the outside via thesecond connector terminal. The first data processing unit and the seconddata processing unit respectively have areas for storing secrete codesfor security, separately.

Thus, one IC card is capable of realizing multifunction facilitiesdifferent in security level.

The first data processing unit makes possible even writing of a secretecode into a secrete code storage area at a non-volatile memorymanufacturing stage. The second data processing unit makes possible evenwriting of a secrete code into a secrete code storage area at amanufacturing stage of the IC card. Thus, the setting of the secretecode is made possible by a method or a procedure necessary to maintainsecurity, according to the difference in security level. When, forexample, the first data processing unit is set as a memory card unit ofa general data storage application, and the second data processing unitis set as a microcomputerized SIM card unit, the security for the seconddata processing unit for processing/managing account information must beunavoidably kept strict as compared with the first data processing unit,thus making it possible to meet such a demand sufficiently.

Even when the first data processing unit is configured as the memorycard unit of the general data storage application, the first controllermay preferably adopt a security function for encrypting data writteninto the first non-volatile memory and decrypting data read from thefirst non-volatile memory or effecting other encryption on the data witha view toward enhancing effectivity of copyright protection or the likeof data stored in the memory card unit.

When the memory card unit and the SIM card unit or the like are adoptedas the multifunction facilities, e.g., the first connector terminalincludes a clock terminal, data terminals of plural bits and a commandterminal of one bit, the second connector terminal includes a clockterminal, a data terminal and a reset terminal, and the third connectorterminal includes a source voltage supply terminal and a ground voltagesupply terminal.

[4] When a connector terminal for source voltage supply is disposed in aconnector terminal column corresponding to a first column as viewed inan IC card insertion direction, a connector terminal columncorresponding to a second column is formed with a terminal-to-terminalarea at a position adjacent to the source voltage supply connectorterminal. If other connector terminals adjacent to the source voltagesupply connector terminal are disposed in the connector terminal columncorresponding to the second column in a zigzag form, there is apossibility that slot terminals of a card slot corresponding to theother connector terminals will contact both a source supply connectorterminal and other connector terminals located ahead of the otherconnector terminals in the course of the insertion of an IC card intothe card slot before the slot terminals contact the other connectorterminals. If a power-supply or source slot terminal is already broughtinto contact with the source voltage supply connector terminal in thisstate, there is then the fear of a power-to-power short. If a structurefor ensuring the terminal-to-terminal area is adopted, then means forincreasing the distance between the connector terminal columnscorresponding to the first and second columns and narrowing the width ofeach connector terminal may not be taken.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a multifunctionIC card illustrative of one example of an IC card according to thepresent invention with a form of connections between connector terminalsand circuit units as a principal base;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a list of connector terminalfunctions of the multifunction IC card;

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an actual state of a circuit mountingsurface of a multifunction IC card;

FIG. 4 is a back view illustrating an actual state of a terminal surfaceof the multifunction IC card;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of acellular telephone;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the multifunction IC cardis mounted in a card slot;

FIG. 7 is a plan view depicting a state in which a multifunction IC cardis mounted in a card slot for a multimedia card;

FIG. 8 is a functional block of a memory card unit;

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of an SIM card unit;

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a cellular telephone capable ofutilizing a multifunction IC card;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a multibankmemory card illustrative of a second example of an IC card according tothe present invention with a form of connections between connectorterminals and circuit units as a principal base;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view illustrating a list of connector terminalfunctions of the multifunction IC card shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing, as a comparative example, aconnector terminal array in which a power-to-power short is developed.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<<Multifunction IC Card>>

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a multifunction IC card corresponding toone example of an IC card according to the present invention with a formof connections between connector terminals and circuit units as aprincipal base.

The multifunction IC card MFC shown in FIG. 1 has compatibility with amultimedia card, an SD card or the like in that connector terminals 2(#1 through #13) for a card substrate 1 are disposed in two rows in azigzag form, and realizes multifunction facilities in that a memory cardunit 3 and an SIM card unit 4 are respectively mounted with beingexclusively connected to predetermined terminals of the connectorterminals 2 (#1 through #13). Reference numerals 5 indicate connectingwirings that show a generic designation for wiring patterns, bondingwires, etc. for connecting the memory card unit 3 and the SIM card unit4 to the connector terminals 2.

Here, the multifunction IC card MFC is assumed to be an applicationavailable with being mounted to a cellular telephone. The memory cardunit 3 is configured as a data storage application which has anon-volatile memory like an electrically rewritable flash memory whosedetails will be described later, and a controller, and stores telephonedirectory data, incoming melody data, etc. therein. The SIM card unit 4comprises a microcomputer with a built-in flash memory, for realizingstorage of subscriber information and account information necessary forsubscriber acknowledgement and management for security for a GSMcellular phone or the like.

While the connector terminals 2 of #1 through #13 are illustrated inFIG. 1 as if directly connected to the memory card unit 3 and the SIMcard unit 4, the connector terminals 2 of #1 through #13 are actuallydisposed on the back surface (terminal surface) of the card substrate 1,connecting pads connected to their corresponding connector terminals bythrough holes or wiring patterns are provided on the surface (mountingsurface) of the card substrate, and the memory card unit 3 and the SIMcard unit 4 are connected to these connecting pads.

The multifunction IC card MFC is based on the size of the multimediacard and conforms to a standard in which its thickness thereof is 1.4 mmand its plane size is 24 mm×32 mm. The card substrate 1 of themultifunction IC card is configured such that the connector terminals 2of #1 through #13 are disposed on a terminal surface of a substrate madeup of a resin substrate such as a glass epoxy resin or the like in tworows between rows adjacent to one another backward and forward as viewedin a card insertion direction (its longitudinal direction).

The connector terminals 2 of #1, #2, #5 through #8 and #13 are connectedto the memory card unit 3, the connector terminals 2 of #9, #11 and #12are connected to the SDIM card unit 4, and the connector terminals 2 of#3 and #4 for the supply of operating power supplies are commonlyconnected to both the memory card unit 3 and the SIM card unit 4.

The connector terminals 2 of #1 through #7 respectively have layouts andfunctions based on a multimedia card standard. A multimedia card modeand an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) mode are generally used for themultimedia card. The selection of the operating modes is determineddepending on the state of a predetermined terminal at power-on. Terminalfunctions of the multimedia card are illustrated in the column of 7 pin(1bit) in FIG. 2. A point of difference between the multimedia card modeand the SPI mode is shown in parentheses. In the multimedia card mode,#1 functions as a reserve terminal NC (open or fixed to a logical value“1”), #2 functions as a command terminal CMD (which performs the inputof a command and the output of a response signal), #3 and #6respectively function as circuit ground voltage (ground) terminals Vss1and Vss2, #4 functions as a source voltage supply terminal Vdd, #5functions as a clock input terminal CLK, and #7 functions as a datainput/output terminal Data, respectively. In the SPI (Serial PeripheralInterface) mode, #1 functions as a chip select terminal CS (negativelogic), #2 functions as a data input terminal Din (used for the input ofdata and a command from a host device to the card), #3 and #6respectively function as the circuit ground voltage (ground) terminalsVss1 and Vss2, #4 functions as the source voltage supply terminal Vdd,#5 functions as the clock input terminal CLK, and #7 functions as a dataoutput terminal Dout (which performs the output of data and status froma memory card to the host device), respectively. The multimedia cardmode is an operating mode suitable for a system which simultaneouslyuses a plurality of multimedia cards. In order to identify thecorresponding multimedia card, a card identification ID (relativeaddress) set to the multimedia card in an initial sequence thereof by anunillustrated host device is used. The SPI mode is most suitable for theutilization in a simple and low-cost system. The selection of themultimedia card is performed according to a chip select signal suppliedto the connector terminal of #1 from the host device. In any operatingmode, the controller of the memory card unit 3 performs access controlto a memory chip and control on an interface with the host device inresponse to a command supplied from the host device.

The connector terminals 2 of #8 through #13 are placed as extensionterminals with respect to the multimedia card. The connector terminals 2of #1 through #7 constitute a connector terminal array corresponding toa first row with respect to the card substrate 1, and the addedconnector terminals 2 of #8 through #13 constitute a connector terminalarray corresponding to a second row, which is disposed away from theconnector terminal array corresponding to the first row. The connectorterminals 2 of #9 through #12 are identical in size to other connectorterminals 2. The connector terminal 2 of #13 is placed in the first rowand extends up to a position where it perfectly adjoins the connectorterminal #7 at one end of the connector terminal array as viewed in itsarray direction. The connector terminal 2 corresponding to the terminalnumber #8 is located in the first row and extends up to a position whereit partly overlaps with and adjoins the connector terminal #1 of theconnector terminal array as viewed in its array direction. The connectorterminal array corresponding to the first row and the connector terminalarray corresponding to the second array are shifted from each other inthe row layout of the connector terminals as viewed in the rowdirection. In other words, the connector terminals 2 corresponding tothe first row and the connector terminals 2 corresponding to the secondrow are disposed in a zigzag form.

The extension terminals of #8 and #13 are respectively connectorterminals made significant when a 4-bit mode shown in the column of 9pin(4bit) in FIG. 2 is selected for the multifunction IC card MFC. Namely,when the 4-bit mode is selected, the terminals #2 through #7 areassigned to functions identical to the corresponding multimedia cardmode. The terminal #1, which functions as the reserve terminal in thecorresponding multimedia card mode, functions as a data terminal Data3corresponding to a fourth bit, the added terminals #8 and #9respectively function as a data terminal Data1 corresponding to a secondbit and a data terminal Data2 corresponding to a third bit. A dataterminal Data0 corresponding to a first bit corresponds to the terminal#7 identical to the multimedia card mode. Thus, when the 4-bit mode isselected for the multifunction IC card MFC, the input/output of data isenabled in 4-bit parallel. At this time, the shapes of the connectorterminals 2 of #8 and #13 are set in consideration of compatibility withconnector terminals of an SD card. The data terminal functions of #8 and#13 in the 4-bit mode may be transposed. The 4-bit mode is also capableof having compatibility with the SD card.

The memory card unit 3 of the multifunction IC card MFC is provided witha downward compatible mode with respect to the multimedia card. Namely,the controller in the memory card unit 3 has an SPI mode of themultimedia card or a 1-bit mode like the multimedia card mode, and a4-bit mode in which the input/output of data in 4-bit parallel using the4-bit data terminals #1, #7, #8 and #13 is performed. The 1-bit mode isan operating mode which allows the multifunction IC card MFC to operateas a multimedia card.

The operating mode may be set in response to the state of apredetermined connector terminal or the state of the input of a commandfrom a predetermined connector terminal. When the multifunction IC cardMFC is mounted in a card slot of a multimedia card, the terminals #8 and#13 are brought into floating. Therefore, the controller may detect thefloating state of both or any one of the terminals #8 and #13 atpower-on to set the 1-bit mode to the multifunction IC card. When it ismounted in a dedicated card slot having slot terminals respectivelycorresponding to the nine connector terminals 2, the terminals #8 and #9are caused to conduct into their corresponding slot terminals of thecard slot. Therefore, the controller detects the supply of a specificsignal or a command from the host device to both or any one of at leastthe terminals #8 and #9 at power-on, whereby the 4-bit mode may be setto the multifunction IC card MFC.

The extension terminals of #9 through #12 are respectively dedicatedterminals connected to the SIM card unit 4. The SIM card unit 4comprises a single chip microcomputer having built in a non-volatilememory such as a flash memory. #9 indicates a data input/output terminalI/O, #10 indicates a non-connect terminal, #11 indicates a clockterminal CLK, and #12 indicates a reset terminal, respectively. Theoperating power supplies of the SIM card unit 4 are supplied via theground terminal Vss of #3 and the power terminal Vdd of #4. If a cardslot corresponding to a terminal configuration described in the columnof 13pin in FIG. 2 is provided for a cellular phone or the like and thecorresponding multifunction IC card MFC is mounted in the card slot,then the memory card unit 3 and the SIM card unit 4 are capable ofoperation independent of each other. If the multifunction IC card MFC isconnected to a personal computer or the like via a card adapter or thelike, then a correction to telephone directory data and the like can beefficiently effected on the memory card unit 3 in the multifunction ICcard MFC.

An actual state of a circuit mounting surface in a multifunction IC cardMFC is shown in FIG. 3, and an actual state of a terminal surface isillustrated in FIG. 4. A card substrate 1 of the multifunction card MFCis configured such that connector terminals 2 of #1 through #13 aredisposed on a terminal surface of a substrate made up of a resinsubstrate such as a glass epoxy resin or the like in two rows betweenrows adjacent to one another backward and forward as viewed in a cardinsertion direction (its longitudinal direction). Connecting pads 7 areformed on a mounting or packaging surface in a one-to-one correspondenceto the connector terminals 2. The connecting pads 7 are respectivelyformed of conductive patterns such as aluminum, copper or iron alloy orthe like. The connector terminals 2 are formed by giving the conductivepatterns such as aluminum, copper or iron alloy or the like gold platingor nickel plating or the like. Electrical connections between theconnecting pads 7 and the connector terminals 2 are performed byunillustrated wiring patterns on the card substrate 1 and through holesor the like for causing the front and back surfaces of the cardsubstrate 1 to conduct.

A memory card unit 3 has, for example, an electrically rewritable flashmemory 8 and a controller 9 for controlling the flash memory 8, whichare provided on the mounting surface of the card substrate 1. Althoughnot restricted in particular, the flash memory 8 and the controller 9are respectively made up of separate semiconductor chips. As a matter ofcourse, both may be made up of one chip together or formed by stackingdifferent chips on each other.

The controller 9 controls a read/write operation for the flash memory 8in accordance with instructions given from outside via the correspondingconnector terminal 2. When data security is taken into consideration,the controller 9 may further be configured so as to have a securityfunction for encrypting data to be written into the flash memory 8, anddecrypting data read from the flash memory 8 or effecting anotherencryption thereon.

The controller 9 has a portrait or vertically-long shape extending alongthe direction of an arrangement of the connector terminals 2. Thecontroller 9 includes, on the connector terminal 2 side, a plurality ofconnector interface terminals 9Pi respectively connected to theconnector terminals 2 via the connecting pads 7, and on the flash memory8 side, a plurality of memory interface terminals 9Pj connected to theflash memory 8. The flash memory 8 has on the controller 9 side, aplurality of controller interface terminals 8Pk connected to thecontroller 9. The connecting pads 7 are connected to their correspondingconnector interface terminals 9Pi of the controller 9 by bonding wires10. The memory interface terminals 9Pj of the controller 9 are connectedto their corresponding controller interface terminals 8Pk of the flashmemory 8 by bonding wires 11. The connector interface terminals 9Pirespectively have terminal functions corresponding to the #1 through #8and #13. The memory interface terminals 9Pj are respectively terminalsfor controlling the flash memory 8, for example and correspond to aplurality of terminals having functions such as a chip enable signaloutput, a write enable signal output, a command enable signal output, adata input/output, an output enable signal output, a ready/busy signalinput, a reset signal output, etc. The controller interface terminals8Pk are a plurality of terminals having functions such as a chip enablesignal input, a write enable signal input, a command enable signalinput, a data input/output, an output enable signal input, a ready/busysignal input, a reset signal input, etc. Further, the card substrate 1includes test terminals 13 connected to the controller 9 and the flashmemory 8 by bonding wires (or wiring pattern) 12.

An SIM card unit 4 is connected to connecting pads 7 corresponding to#9, #11 and #12 via bonding wires 17A. Operating power supplies for theSIM card unit 4 are supplied via bonding wires 17B. A pair of bondingwires designated at numeral 16 is interface wirings for connecting thecontroller 9 and the SIM card unit 4. The pair of bonding wires allowsthe transfer of information between the memory card unit 3 and the SIMcard unit 4.

The card substrate 1 is mounted and fixed to a casing 14 with a mountingsurface thereof directed toward its inside. The mounting surface iscovered with and protected by the casing 14, and the terminal surfacethereof is exposed from the casing 14.

An outward appearance of a cellular telephone is illustrated in FIG. 5.The multifunction IC card MFC is mounted in a card slot defined in aside face of the cellular telephone 20.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which a multifunction IC card MFC is mounted ina card slot 21. The card slot 21 has, at its back, slot terminals 22that protrude in association with respective connector terminals 2.Since the connector terminals 2 are disposed in two rows in the zigzagform, the slot terminals 22 (22(S)) of the card slot 21 short in theamount of protrusion thereof and the slot terminals (22(L)) long in theamount thereof may be alternated in a zigzag section. A comparativelysimple configuration can be adopted wherein the slot terminals 22 aredisposed in parallel on the whole while the amounts of protrusion of theslot terminals 22 are being changed. Points that contact the connectorterminals 2, correspond to tip (□mark) portions of the slot terminals22.

FIG. 7 shows a state of mounting of a multifunction IC card MFC in acard slot 23 for a multimedia card. Since an array of connectorterminals 2 of #1 through #7 of the multifunction IC card MFC is basedon the multimedia card, the multifunction IC card MFC can be mounted inthe card slot 23 for the multimedia card so as to match even anapplication that singly makes use of a memory card unit 3. Referencenumerals 24 respectively indicate slot terminals of the card slot 23, towhich the connector terminals 2 of #1 through #7 are connectable.

A functional block diagram of the memory card unit 3 is shown in FIG. 8.A controller 9 has an interface controller 30, a flash memory controller32, an encryption/decryption circuit 33, and a security circuit 34. Theinterface controller 30 is connected to a cellular phone 20 via theconnector terminals 2 and decodes a command supplied from the cellularphone 20 to thereby control perform the general control on the interiorof the memory card unit 3 and control on an interface with the cellularphone 20. Although not restricted in particular, such a control programor state transition control logic is provided inside the interfacecontroller 30. The control program may be placed in a flash memory 8.

The interface control is equivalent to interface control based on amultimedia card mode or an SPI mode via the connector terminals 2. Thegeneral control on the interior of the memory card unit includesauthentication control using the security circuit 34 as the first,encryption/decryption control on input/output data of the flash memory 8as the second, and access control made as for a file memory of the flashmemory 8 via the flash memory controller 32.

The access control is control which takes into considerationcompatibility with such a file system that, for example, a sector isbasic to data management. In order to manage data or files in sectorunits of 512 bytes, for example, a memory array of the flash memory 8 isutilized with being divided into data areas set every 512 bytescorresponding to one sector and management areas set every data area.Each of the management areas includes information indicative of the usestate of a sector, as to whether effective data is held in thecorresponding data area, pointing information to a subsequent sector,etc. Those management areas constitute a sector management table 35 as awhole. Upon the access control, a sector of a file intended for accessis associated with its corresponding physical address of the flashmemory 8, so that each of memory operations such as read, erase, writeand verify, etc. is performed.

The encryption/decryption control performs, for example, a process forcausing the encryption/decryption circuit 33 to firstly encrypt datawritten into the flash memory 8 and allowing the encrypted data to bewritten into the flash memory 8, and a process for causing theencryption/decryption circuit 33 to decrypt data read from the flashmemory 8 by the flash memory controller 32 or effecting anotherencryption on the data, and allowing the processed data to be outputtedto the outside from the interface controller 30. A suitable algorithmusing a private key or a private key and a public key may be adopted foran encrypting/decrypting method.

The authentication control will be explained. Assuming that the memorycard unit 3 is used for delivery of music information, literatureinformation, etc. through the cellular phone 20 or the like, copyrightprotection against such information may preferably be taken intoconsideration. When a telephone number or the like is stored in thememory card unit 3 and utilized, a request for execution of privacyprotection against such information will be made.

Although not restricted in particular as to the copyright protection, apredetermined authorization code related to the right of reproduction iswritten into a specific area of the flash memory 8 in a manufacturingstage of the flash memory 8. Upon information delivery, theauthorization code related to the reproduction right is transferred froma host device to the cellular phone 20 or the like. This is set to anauthorization code management table 36 of the security circuit 34. Thedelivered information such as music information or the like associatedwith the authorization code is downloaded and written in the flashmemory 8. Its write memory address is associated with the authorizationcode and set to the authorization code management table 36 of thesecurity circuit 34. Thereafter, the multifunction IC card MFC isdetached from the cellular phone 20 and attached to a reproductionterminal device or the like this time. In response to an access requestsent from the terminal device, the interface controller 30 of themultifunction IC card MFC causes the security circuit 34 to determine,using the authorization code management table 36, whether a memoryaddress of a file intended for access is a memory area associated withthe authorization code on the authorization code management table 36.When the memory area is associated with the authorization code, thesecurity circuit 34 disallows the file access unless a predeterminedrelationship between the authorization code held in the security circuit34 and the authorization code written into the flash memory 8 at itsmanufacturing stage is established. The authorization code managementtable 36 may be made up of an electrically rewritable non-volatilememory. The authorization code management table 36 may be placed in theinterface controller 30 or the flash memory 8.

Once a secrete identification code is set from a device such as acellular phone to a secrete identification code management table 37 ofthe security circuit 34 if described as to privacy protection, thesecurity circuit 34 requires the interface controller 30 to input thecorresponding secrete identification code upon a first read accessrequest to the flash memory 8 each time an initializing process of themultifunction IC card MFC is finished. Until a secrete identificationcode coincident with the secrete identification code set to the secreteidentification code management table 37 is inputted from outside, thesecurity circuit 34 causes the interface controller 30 to stop memoryaccess control responsive to the read request. The secreteidentification code management table 37 may be made up of anelectrically rewritable non-volatile memory. The authorization codemanagement table 36 may be placed in the interface controller 30 or theflash memory 8.

A functional block diagram of the SIM card unit 4 is shown in FIG. 9.The SIM card unit 4 is realized by a single chip microcomputer andcomprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40, a RAM (Random AccessMemory) 41 used as a work area of the CPU 40, a ROM (Read-Only Memory)42 holding operating programs and the like for the CPU 40, a serialinterface circuit (SIO) 43 for performing the input/output of data fromand to the outside, and a flash memory 44. In a GSM mobile communicationsystem, the SIM card unit 4 holds subscriber information necessary forsupports of a GSM operator and acknowledgement/management of GSMsubscribers, such as storage/management of subscriber information aboutsecurity, creation/management of user PIN (Personal IdentificationNumber), etc. Further, the SIM card unit 4 holds account information,information necessary for GSM services like abbreviateddialing/destination fix dialing, etc. The CPU 40 performs a process forretaining these information in the flash memory 44 and managing themthrough the use of the RAM 41. An operating program for its execution isheld in the ROM 42. Further, the SIM card unit 4 performs theimplementation of communication protocols, file management and securitymanagement. The security management is to confirm the validity of useauthority of a user and the validity of a use system through the use ofan authentication code such as the user PIN. While a specificauthentication procedure is not described in detail, a GSM serviceprovider pre-stores an authentication code for the GSM services in theflash memory 44 of the SIM card unit 4 in a one-to-one correspondencewith each user. The authentication code pre-registered in the SIM cardunit 4 is used to make a decision as to the coincidence with a codeinputted to the SIM card unit 4 for each call, for example. The validityis confirmed based on the result of its decision. A relationship withaccounting also exists and hence a security level at the SIM card unit 4is generally set higher than a security level at the memory card unit 3.In the multifunction IC card MFC, the SIM card unit 4 and the memorycard unit 3 are respectively assigned inherent connector terminals asdata input/output terminals. Therefore, the writing and reading ofsecrete codes such security information to and from them can beperformed independently. This makes it possible to execute transactionsdifferent from one another with respect to the security level. In otherwords, the difference in the security level is allowed as a differenceupon multifunction.

A functional block diagram of a cellular phone capable of utilizing amultifunction IC card MFC is shown in FIG. 10.

Voice is captured by a microphone 51 as an analog audio signal andconverted into a digital audio signal by an A/D converter 52, followedby input to a data processor 53. The data processor 53 effects a voicecoding process and a channel codec process or the like as a layerprocess on the received digital audio signal and outputs the processedsignal as a transmit signal. Although not restricted in particular, thevoice coding process and channel codec process or the like are performedusing a DSP. Although not illustrated in particular, the data processor53 may build therein an accelerator for the channel codec and voicecodec.

The transmit signal generated by the data processor 53 is modulated by,for example, a GMSK modulating circuit 54 and further converted into ananalog signal by a D/A converter 55, which in turn is transmitted from ahigh-frequency transmission unit (RF transmission unit) 56 through anantenna 57.

A signal received by the antenna 57 is received by a high-frequencyreception unit (RF reception unit) 58 and converted into a digitalsignal by an A/D converter 59, after which it is brought to the dataprocessor 53. The data processor 53 performs a Viterbi decoding process,a voice decoding process, etc. to take out a voice or audio signal andoutputs it therefrom. The Viterbi decoding process, voice decodingprocess and the like are performed by the DSP or the unillustratedaccelerator.

The audio signal outputted from the data processor 53 is converted intoan analog audio signal by a D/A converter 60, which is outputted as thevoice through a speaker 61.

The data processor 53 in the cellular phone 20 shown in FIG. 10 includesa central processing unit (CPU) 62, a direct memory access controller(DMAC) 63, a read-only memory (ROM) 64 holding operating programs or thelike for the CPU 62, a random access memory (RAM) 65 used in a work areaof the CPU 62, and an input/output circuit (I/O) 66 such as aninput/output port, a serial interface or the like. In the example of thecellular phone 20, although not restricted in particular, operatingprograms such as a voice codec process for voice encoding/decoding, achannel codec process as a layer process, and a system control processor the like executed by the data processor 53 are held in the ROM 64. Aprocess for setting a transfer control condition for the DMAC 63 isperformed by executing the corresponding operating program stored in theROM 64 by the CPU 62.

Although not restricted in particular, an input switch unit 70, adisplay controller 71 and a card interface controller 72 are connectedto the I/O 66 of the data processor 53. The input switch unit 70includes a large number of input switches capable of inputting figuresand characters or the like by function designations. The card interfacecontroller 72 performs interface control between a multifunction IC cardMFC mounted in a card slot 21 and a data processor 53. The dataprocessor 53 has the function of performing control for suitablydisplaying, on a liquid crystal display 75 via the display controller71, states of the cellular phone 20, such as a transmit telephonenumber, an incoming telephone number, a communication state, a batteryvoltage, etc.

<<Multibank Memory Card>>

FIG. 11 shows a configuration of a multibank memory card illustrative ofa second example of an IC card according to the present invention with aform of connections between connector terminals and circuit units as aprincipal base.

The multibank memory card MBC shown in FIG. 11 has an array similar tothe multifunction IC card MFC shown in FIG. 1. Connector terminals 2 of#1 through #13 provided in a zigzag form are disposed on a cardsubstrate 1 in two rows. Memory card units 3 and 3A are connected to theconnector terminals 2 of #1 through #13 so as to constitute aparallel-operable multibank memory. Reference numerals 5 indicateconnecting wirings that show a generic designation for wiring patterns,bonding wires, etc. for connecting the memory card units 3 and 3A to theconnector terminals 2.

The memory card unit 3 is connected to the connector terminals 2 of #1through #8 and #13 and has the same configuration as the memory cardunit 3 of the multifunction IC card MFC shown in FIG. 1. Thus, thememory card unit 3 is operable as a multimedia card as shown in thecolumn of 7pin (1bit) of FIG. 12 in the same manner as described above.Further, the memory card unit 3 is capable of performing an input/outputoperation of 4-bit parallel data in a manner similar to an SD card asshown in the column of 9pin (4 bit) of FIG. 12. Operating modes thereofare determined according to the states of the connector terminals 2 whenconnected to a card slot as described above. A multimedia card mode andan SPI mode for multimedia card compatible operating modes aredetermined according to the designations at on-initialization for thememory card unit 3 by a host device as described above.

The memory card unit 3A is provided only with a function as a memorycard capable of performing only a 1-bit serial input/output based on themultimedia card. The memory card unit 3A is supplied with a groundvoltage Vss1, a power supply voltage Vdd and a ground voltage Vss2 fromthe connector terminals of #3, #4 and #6 shared with the memory cardunit 3. In the multimedia card mode, #9 functions as a reserve terminalNC-2 (open or fixed to a logical value “1”), #10 functions as a commandterminal CMD-2 (which performs the input of a command and the output ofa response signal), #11 functions as a clock input terminal CLK-2, and#12 functions as a data input/output terminal Data-2, respectively. Inthe SPI mode, #9 functions as a chip select terminal CS-2 (negativelogic), #10 functions as a data input terminal Din-2 (used for the inputof data and a command from the host device to the card), #11 functionsas a clock input terminal CLK-2, and #12 functions as a data outputterminal Dout-2 (which performs the output of data and status from thememory card to the host device), respectively. The multimedia card modeand the SPI mode are determined depending on the designations at theinitialization for the memory card unit 3A by the host device asdescribed above.

When the multibank memory card MBC shown in FIG. 11 is mounted in a cardslot 21 having 13 slot terminals 22 as illustrated in FIG. 6 tointerface with the host device, operating modes capable of beingintroduced into the respective memory card units 3 and 3A when the twomemory card units 3 and 3A are operated in parallel, are firstly a formfor setting both to a multimedia card mode or an SPI mode in multimediacard compatible modes as illustrated in the column of 13pin (A) of FIG.12. Secondly, as illustrated in the column of 13pin (B) of FIG. 12,operating modes are a form for setting the memory card unit 3 to anoperating mode capable of performing a 4-bit parallel input/output, anda form for setting the memory card unit 3A to a multimedia card mode inthe multimedia card compatible modes. In any case, the host device iscapable of controlling both the memory card units 3 and 3A included inone IC card independent of each other and enables even a paralleloperation thereof perfectly.

<<Prevention of Power-to-Power Short>>

In the multifunction IC card MFC shown in FIG. 1 and the multibankmemory card MBC shown in FIG. 11, consideration to the prevention of apower-to-power short has been made to the array of the connectorterminals 2 in two rows back and forth. In the above-described example,no terminal is disposed in the rear of the terminal of #4 correspondingto a power supply connector terminal. At the section in which theconnector terminals 2 are disposed in the zigzag form as illustrated inFIG. 6, the short terminals 22(S) and the long terminals 22(L) in theslot terminals 22 of the card slot 21 are alternately densely disposedwith pitches each equivalent to one-half the pitch of each connectorterminal 2. On the other hand, if no connector terminals 2 exist in therear as in the case of #4, then the long slot terminals 22(L) are notdisposed on both sides of the slot terminal 22(Vdd) corresponding to theconnector terminal 2 of #4 for the supply of the power supply voltage(Vdd) as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Let's assume an IC card 25 wherein as illustrated in FIG. 13(A) on thecontrary, data terminals of #10 and #11 are disposed in the rear of aconnector terminal of #4 for the supply of a power supply voltage (Vdd).In a card slot 26 corresponding to the IC card 25, a long slot terminal26Ab is disposed adjacent to a slot terminal 26Aa corresponding to theconnector terminal of #4.

When the IC card 25 of FIG. 13 is inserted into the card slot 26, acontact point (□mark portion) of the slot terminal 26Ab is brought intosliding contact with the surfaces of the connector terminal of #4inputted with the power supply voltage Vdd and a connector terminal of#3 inputted with a circuit ground voltage Vss as illustrated in FIG.13(B). When, at this time, the slot terminal 26Aa supplied with thepower supply voltage Vdd is made conductive to the connector terminal of#4, and the slot terminal 26Ac supplied with the circuit ground voltageVss is made conductive to the connector terminal of #3, the power supplyvoltage Vdd and the ground voltage Vss are short-circuited via a contactpoint of 26Aa, a contact point between #4 and 26Ab and a contact pointbetween #3 and 26Ac as shown in FIG. 13(C).

Owing to the non-provision of the connector terminal in the rear of theterminal of #4 corresponding to the power supply connector terminal asillustrated in FIG. 6, the possibility of such power short can beprevented before happens.

While the invention made above by the present inventors has beendescribed specifically based on the illustrated embodiments, the presentinvention is not limited to them. Various changes can be made theretowithin the scope not departing from the substance thereof.

For example, the present invention can be applied even to a memory cardexcluding outer specs of a multimedia card, e.g., an IC card based onother standard, such as a compact flash memory or the like. Accordingly,the size of a card substrate, the number of connector terminals, and thefunctions of the connector terminals, etc. are not limited to theabove-description and can be suitably changed. A memory mounted to an ICcard of the present invention is not limited to a non-volatile memory.The memory may be volatile memories (SRAM, DRAM, etc.). The non-volatilememory is not limited to the flash memory and may be a ferroelectricmemory.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be used in a cellular phone such as a GSM, andother personal digital assistance as a multifunction IC card. Also thepresent invention can be widely used in an auxiliary storage or the likefor each of a digital video camera, a digital still camera and otherelectronic equipment as a multibank memory IC card. Further, thefunction of a bankbook, a credit card, an IC card or the like can bealso incorporated together with a memory function as the function of themultifunction IC card.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. An integrated circuit card adapted for operativeinsertion into a cellular phone, and comprising: a memory card unithaving a function for data storage of incoming melody data of thecellular phone, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card unit having afunction for controlling security of subscriber information and accountinformation of the cellular phone, and a plurality of externalterminals, wherein the external terminals include first terminals,second terminals and third terminals, wherein the first terminals arecoupled to the memory card unit and used only for the memory card unit,wherein the second terminals are coupled to the SIM card unit and usedonly for the SIM card unit, and wherein the third terminals include apower supply voltage terminal and a ground voltage terminal, and arecoupled to the memory card unit and the SIM card unit.
 18. An integratedcircuit card according to claim 17, wherein the first terminals includea CMD terminal, a DATA terminal and a CLK terminal, and wherein thesecond terminals include an I/O terminal, a CLK terminal and a resetterminal.
 19. An integrated circuit card according to claim 18, whereinthe first terminals further include DATA terminals for 4 bits and a chipselect terminal.
 20. An integrated circuit card according to claim 17,wherein the memory card unit includes a flash memory chip, and whereinthe SIM card unit includes a microcomputer chip.
 21. An integratedcircuit card according to claim 20, wherein the microcomputer chip has aCPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I/O circuit and a non-volatile memory.
 22. Anintegrated circuit card according to claim 20, wherein the integratedcircuit card further comprises test terminals coupled to the flashmemory chip of the memory card unit.
 23. An integrated circuit cardaccording to claim 17, wherein the memory card unit includes a flashmemory chip and a controller chip for the flash memory chip, and whereinthe SIM card unit includes a microcomputer chip.
 24. An integratedcircuit card according to claim 23, wherein the microcomputer chip has aCPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I/O circuit and a non-volatile memory.
 25. Anintegrated circuit card according to claim 23, wherein the integratedcircuit card further comprises test terminals coupled to the flashmemory chip of the memory card unit.
 26. An integrated circuit cardadapted for operative insertion into a cellular phone, and comprising: amemory card unit having a function for data storage of incoming melodydata of the cellular phone, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card unithaving a function for controlling security of subscriber information andaccount information of the cellular phone, and a plurality of externalterminals, wherein the external terminals include first terminals,second terminals and third terminals, wherein the first terminals arecoupled to the memory card unit and used only for the memory card unit,wherein the second terminals are coupled to the SIM card unit and usedonly for the SIM card unit, wherein the third terminals are coupled tothe memory card unit and the SIM card unit, and wherein the integratedcircuit card further comprises a signal line coupled to the memory cardunit and the SIM card unit and not coupled to the external terminals.27. An integrated circuit card according to claim 26, wherein the thirdterminals include a power supply voltage terminal and a ground voltageterminal.
 28. An integrated circuit card according to claim 26, whereinthe first terminals include a CMD terminal, a DATA terminal and a CLKterminal, and wherein the second terminals include an I/O terminal, aCLK terminal and a reset terminal.
 29. An integrated circuit cardaccording to claim 28, wherein the first terminals further include DATAterminals for 4 bits and a chip select terminal.
 30. An integratedcircuit card according to claim 26, wherein the signal line has afunction for transferring information between the memory card unit andthe SIM card unit.
 31. An integrated circuit card according to claim 26,wherein the memory card unit includes a flash memory chip, and whereinthe SIM card unit includes a microcomputer chip.
 32. An integratedcircuit card according to claim 31, wherein the microcomputer chip has aCPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I/O circuit and a non-volatile memory.
 33. Anintegrated circuit card according to claim 31, wherein the integratedcircuit card further comprises test terminals coupled to the flashmemory chip of the memory card unit.
 34. An integrated circuit cardaccording to claim 26, wherein the memory card unit includes a flashmemory chip and a controller chip for the flash memory chip, and whereinthe SIM card unit includes a microcomputer chip.
 35. An integratedcircuit card according to claim 34, wherein the microcomputer chip has aCPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I/O circuit and a non-volatile memory.
 36. Anintegrated circuit card according to claim 34, wherein the signal linehas a function for transferring information between the memory card unitand the SIM card unit, and wherein the controller chip of the memorycard unit couples to the microcomputer chip of the SIM card unit.
 37. Anintegrated circuit card according to claim 34, wherein the integratedcircuit card further comprises test terminals coupled to the flashmemory chip of the memory card unit.